Slow Cooked Bourbon Chicken
Slow Cooked Bourbon Chicken is a rich, sweet-and-savory comfort dish that practically makes itself.
Ingredients
- 2 lbs boneless, skinless chicken thighs (or breasts)
- ¾ cup low-sodium soy sauce
- ½ cup brown sugar
- ¼ cup ketchup
- 3 tbsp apple cider vinegar
- 2 tbsp bourbon
- 2 cloves garlic, minced
- 1 tsp ground ginger
- ½ tsp black pepper
- 1 tbsp cornstarch + 2 tbsp water (optional, for thickening)
Instructions
- Place chicken in the slow cooker.
- Whisk soy sauce, brown sugar, ketchup, vinegar, bourbon, garlic, ginger, and pepper. Pour over chicken.
- Cover and cook on low for 4–5 hours or high for 2–3 hours, until chicken is tender.
- Shred or cube chicken.
- Optional: Stir in cornstarch slurry, cover, and cook 15–20 minutes until sauce thickens.
Notes
- Most alcohol cooks off during slow cooking, leaving flavor.
Slow Cooked Bourbon Chicken is a rich, sweet-and-savory comfort dish that practically makes itself. Tender chicken simmers for hours in a glossy sauce made with soy sauce, brown sugar, garlic, and a splash of bourbon, creating deep, restaurant-style flavor with minimal effort. As the chicken slowly cooks, it becomes incredibly juicy and absorbs every bit of the sticky, caramelized sauce.
The bourbon adds warmth and complexity without overpowering, making the dish feel special while still family-friendly. Perfect for busy days, this recipe lets the slow cooker do all the work while you focus on everything else. Serve it over fluffy rice or noodles to soak up the sauce, and add a side of steamed broccoli or green beans for balance. Easy, satisfying, and packed with bold flavor, this slow cooked bourbon chicken is sure to become a go-to favorite.
